Emergency Events

Although emergencies are unexpected and often unforeseeable, it is still important to prepare for them. Being prepared and anticipating emergencies can make all the difference in crises situations. The following pages will provide you with some recommendations on how to keep you and your family safe.

Fire

Be Prepared:

Make an emergency exit plan for your family and practice leaving your home so you’re prepared if it’s necessary to exit quickly.

Keep important identification documents in a waterproof folder that is easily accessible.

Regularly check that fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the house are working.

Get and maintain a fire extinguisher.

Remember to check and change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Types of fire extinguishers:

Fire extinguishers are divided into different categories: A, B and C. Each type corresponds with the specific type of fire. It is important to have the correct extinguisher in your home.

If you are not trained, do not attempt to provide medical assistance before trained assistance arrives, unless the circumstances require immediate steps to preserve the life or health of the injured person.

If possible, assign someone to meet emergency personnel at the closest entrance.

Remain with the victim until first responders arrive. Limit communication with the victim to no more than quiet reassurances.

Report all information to emergency personnel.

Emergency Contacts

Call 911 for police, fire and ambulance

Regional Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

Basic First Aid

Prepare by taking a First Aid course or by learning basic first aid, like how to treat a burn.

Keep a First Aid kit in the house.

Keep emergency numbers in a convenient location.

Store documentation of medical history in an easily accessible location. Pay special attention to allergies and pre-existing medical conditions.

Educate children about emergencies and show them how to call for help.

Auto Accidents

To reduce your chances of having a vehicular accident, obey traffic laws, don’t speed, don’t make/take calls or do texting while driving, don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, buckle up and drive defensively and according to weather and road conditions.

If an accident does occur, however, take the following steps to best handle the situation:

Make sure that drivers, passengers or pedestrians involved are not hurt. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Even if you think you’re not injured, it’s best to be examined either at the hospital or by your family doctor. A seemingly minor injury could turn out to be more serious.

Call 911 regardless of whether injuries are suspected. Police officers are trained to handle emergency situations. Ask for a copy of the police report from the officer.

If you have a camera with you — or a cell phone that is camera ready — take photos of the vehicles involved, the area where the accident occurred, and any skid marks.

If possible, safely move the cars out of the way of traffic.

Get the following information about everyone involved in the accident: name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, description of car, e-mail address, all phone numbers (home, work, and cell), and auto insurance information. Also obtain contact information from any witnesses to the accident.